Automated service management

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method for automated service management includes identifying a period of time to perform a service on a transporter, wherein the transporter is one of: a vehicle, an aircraft, a watercraft, or a rail based transportation. A first location within a vicinity of the transporter is identified, wherein the vicinity is based at least in part on a known location of the transporter. The transporter is instructed to relocate to the first location and responsive to the computer determining the service of the transporter is complete, the transporter is instructed to relocate to the known location.

BACKGROUND

Autonomous transportation, such as autonomous trains, currently operatein various settings from airports to metropolitan areas. Autonomoustrains are capable of operating automatically without any humanintervention, operations including door movements, obstacle detection,and emergency situation detection. Autonomous vehicle, aircraft, andwatercraft are currently being developed, with multiple workingprototypes capable of moving people and cargo between locations.

SUMMARY

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention disclose a method,computer program product and computer system for automated servicemanagement. A computer-implemented method includes identifying a periodof time to perform a service on a transporter, wherein the transporteris one of: a vehicle, an aircraft, a watercraft, or a rail basedtransportation. A first location within a vicinity of the transporter isidentified, wherein the vicinity is based at least in part on a knownlocation of the transporter. The transporter is instructed to relocateto the first location. Responsive to determining the service of thetransporter is complete, the transporter is instructed to relocate tothe known location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a distributed dataprocessing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of an automatedservice program for managing autonomous transportation service, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting continued operational steps of anautomated service program for managing autonomous transportationservice, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of components of a computer system, such asthe computer server of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Current modes of non-autonomous transportation include compliance withrecommended manufacturer servicing intervals for maintenance items, andservicing of particular components due to operational failure. In mostinstances, servicing of a non-autonomous transporter involves the usergoing to the service location, where the service can be performed.However, autonomous transportation can remove the involvement of theuser going to the service location; that is, only the autonomoustransporter travels to the service location.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention allow for servicingof autonomous transportation. A user of an autonomous transporter hasthe ability to utilize an automated service program to automate theservicing of the autonomous transporter based on associated preferencesprovided by the user. The automated service program stores associatedpreferences provided by the user for the autonomous transporter, andutilizes the associated preferences to determine when and where theautonomous transporter should be serviced. Embodiments in accordancewith the present invention identify a period of time within whichservice on the autonomous transporter should be performed based upon theassociated preferences. Based on a known location of the autonomoustransporter, embodiments in accordance with the present inventionidentify a service location within a vicinity of the known location toservice the autonomous transporter. Embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention instruct the autonomous transporter to relocate to theservice location, and, responsive to determining that service of thetransporter is complete, instruct the autonomous transporter to relocateto the previous known location.

Example embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawing figures. FIG. 1 is afunctional block diagram illustrating a distributed data processingenvironment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.The distributed data processing environment includes server computer102, client device 104, vehicle 106, and service location 108,interconnected over network 110.

Server computer 102 represents a computer system utilizing clusteredcomputers and components that act as a single pool of seamless resourceswhen accessed through server network 110, as is common in data centersand with cloud computing applications. In general, server computer 102is representative of any programmable electronic device or combinationof programmable electronic devices capable of executing machine-readableprogram instructions and communicating with other computer devices via anetwork.

Automated service program 112, stored on server computer 102, canreceive operational information from vehicle 106, where the operationalinformation is a snapshot of data from one or more components (e.g.,engine control unit 116 and transmission control unit 118) on vehicle106. Automated service program 112 can determine if service is requiredfor vehicle 106, and can instruct vehicle 106 to drive from anidentified vehicle location to a service location (e.g., servicelocation 108) in order to have the service performed. Upon completion ofthe service, automated service program 112 can receive a payment requestfor the service from service location 108 and can send the payment toservice location 108. Upon which, automated service program 112instructs vehicle 106 to return to the originally identified vehiclelocation from the service location 108.

In this embodiment, automated service program 112 is stored on servercomputer 102 as an enterprise-based service, and manages the servicingof one or more vehicles, such as vehicle 106. In another embodiment,automated service program 112 is stored on vehicle 106 as a client-side,web-based service. Automated service program 112 management of serviceis not limited to a particular type of autonomous transportation (i.e.,vehicles) and can include aircraft, watercraft, and rail-basedtransportation. Storage 114 stores information from automated program112 including vehicle service preferences, user service preference, userpayment information, manufacturer vehicle service intervals, andmanufacturer service items based on the vehicle service intervals.

In general, network 110 can be any combination of connections andprotocols that can support communications between server computer 102,client device 104, vehicle 106 and service location 108. Network 110 caninclude, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), such as the internet, a cellular network, or any combination ofthe preceding, and can further include wired, wireless, and/or fiberoptic connections.

Client device 104 may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, aspecialized computer server, a smart phone, or any programmableelectronic device capable of communication with server computer 102,vehicle 106, and service location 108 via network 110, and with variouscomponents and devices within the distributed data processingenvironment. For discussion purposes, the user of client device 104receives vehicle 106 service information, where the service informationcan include a type of service, service locations, service duration, andservice cost.

User interface (UI) 120 provides an interface between a user of clientdevice 104 and automated service program 112. User interface 120 may bea graphical user interface (GUI) or a web user interface (WUI) and candisplay text, documents, web browser windows, user options, applicationinterfaces, and instructions for operation, and includes the information(such as graphics, text, and sound) a program presents to a user, andthe control sequences the user employs to control the program. Userinterface 120 may also be mobile application software that provides aninterface between a user of client device 104 and automated serviceprogram 112. Mobile application software, or an “app”, is a computerprogram designed to run on smart phones, tablet computers and othermobile devices. Automated service program 112 can display vehicle 106service information in user interface 120 of client device 104, and anyother notification which automated service program 112 sends to the userof vehicle 106.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of an automatedservice program for managing autonomous transportation service, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Automated service program 112 receives operational informationassociated with a vehicle (step 202). In this embodiment, automatedservice program 112 receives operational information from multiplesensors or control units on vehicle 106. Examples of control units caninclude engine control unit 116 and transmission control unit 118 onvehicle 106. Examples of sensors can include any type of sensor thatmonitors one or more aspects of an autonomous vehicle. In oneembodiment, automated service program 112 can continuously receiveoperational information associated with vehicle 106. In anotherembodiment, automated service program 112 can receive operationalinformation associated with vehicle 106 at particular pre-determinedintervals. Intervals can include mileage values, flight hours,operational hours, or other intervals that aid in characterizing theoperational history of a mode of transportation. For example, automatedservice program 112 can receive operational information associated withvehicle 106 every 100 miles traveled. In another example, automatedservice program 112 receives operational information when vehicle 106determines a failure has occurred and is producing a fault codeassociated with the failure.

Automated service program 112 identifies the vehicle associated with theoperational information (step 204). In this embodiment, the operationalinformation, which automated service program 112 receives in step 202,includes an associated vehicle identification number (VIN) for vehicle106. Automated service program 112 can identify the type (i.e., make,model, and year) of vehicle and the service history for vehicle 106based on the associated vehicle identification number. In anotherembodiment, automated service program 112 can receive operationalinformation for an aircraft, where the operational information includesan associated tail number for the aircraft. Automated service program112 can identify the type (i.e., make, model, year, and configuration)of aircraft and the service history for that particular aircraft basedon the associated tail number for the aircraft.

Automated service program 112 determines if servicing of the vehicle isrequired (decision step 206). In the event automated service program 112determines servicing of the vehicle is not required (“no” branch, step206), automated service program 112 reverts back to step 202 andcontinues to receive operational information associated with thevehicle. In the event automated service program 112 determines servicingof the vehicle is required (“yes” branch, step 206), automated serviceprogram identifies a period of time within which to perform the service(step 208).

In this embodiment, automated service program 112 includes vehiclemanufacturer information, where vehicle manufacturer informationincludes service intervals based on predetermined intervals (e.g.,vehicle mileage or time between service) and one or more items includedin the service associated with each interval. In one example, theservice interval for vehicle 106 is 10,000 miles or 365 days, whicheveroccurs first, with a tolerance of 500 miles and 5 days, respectively. Inthe event that automated service program 112 determines that vehicle 106has reached the 10,000 mile point, automated service program 112determines servicing of vehicle 106 is required. In another embodiment,automated service program 112 includes aircraft manufacturerinformation, where the aircraft manufacturer information includes arecommended service schedule based on the interval since the lastservice (e.g., flight hours or time since last service) and one or moreitems included in a service associated with each service interval. Inanother example, service interval for an aircraft is 5,000 flight hoursor 365 days, whichever occurs first, with a tolerance of 250 flighthours and 5 days respectively. Automated service program 112 determinesthat the aircraft has not reached the 5,000 flight hours or the 365 dayinterval, and determines servicing of the aircraft is not required.

In yet another embodiment, automated service program 112 determines,based on the received operational information associated with a vehicle,that the vehicle needs to be charged or refueled. The receivedoperational information can include energy reserve information, whereenergy reserve information is an amount of electric charge or an amountof fuel vehicle 106 has in reserve. Automated service program 112 candetermine if the amount of electric charge or the amount of fuel thatvehicle 106 has in reserve is below a pre-determined threshold. Ifautomated service program 112 determines the amount of electric chargeor the amount of fuel vehicle 106 has in reserve is below apre-determined threshold, automated service program 112 determinesservicing of vehicle 106 is required. In this embodiment, the servicingof the vehicle includes restoring the amount of electric charge or theamount of fuel above the threshold level. In another embodiment, theservicing of the vehicle includes restoring the amount of electriccharge or the amount of fuel to a fully charged or fully fueled level,respectively.

Automated service program 112 identifies a period of time to perform theservice (step 208). The period of time to perform the service is anallotted time determined by the user of vehicle 106 when automatedservice program 112 can instruct vehicle 106 to perform automatedservicing. In this embodiment, automated service program 112 includesuser preferences for vehicle 106, where user preferences include one ormore periods during the week when the service for the vehicle can beperformed. For example, a period of time can include 6 hours between thehours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. when vehicle 106 is not utilized or 8 hoursbetween the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. when the user of vehicle 106 isat work. Automated service program 112 can receive user preferences foreach vehicle that automated service program 112 manages, and stores theuser preferences until they are altered by the user or if the vehicle isno longer associated with that particular user.

Automated service program 112 identifies a current location (such as ahome location) for the vehicle (step 210). In this embodiment, automatedservice program 112 utilizes global positioning system (GPS) informationfor the vehicle to identify the location of the vehicle. Automatedservice program 112 can receive the location of the vehicle whenreceiving operational information in step 202. In another embodiment,automated service program 112 can query the vehicle for GPS informationassociated with the vehicle, receive the GPS information associated withthe vehicle, and determine the location of the vehicle based on the GPSinformation.

In an alternative embodiment, automated service program 112 can querymultiple locations to determine if vehicle 106 is present at one of themultiple locations. In one example, a work location and a home locationeach include a sensor capable of determining if vehicle 106 is present.The work location can include a designated spot assigned specifically tovehicle 106 and the home location can include a driveway, where vehicle106 typically parks. A sensor in the designated spot or driveway candetermine if vehicle 106 is currently present at that location.Subsequent to receiving sensor information from the work location andhome location, automated service program determines if the currentlocation for vehicle 106 includes either or neither, the home locationor the work location.

Automated service program 112 determines a service location (step 212).In this embodiment, automated service program 112 identifies servicelocations in the vicinity of the previously identified vehicle locationin step 210, where the vicinity is a distance based on a predeterminedradius measured from the identified location of vehicle 106. In theevent that automated service program 108 identifies two or more servicelocations in the vicinity of vehicle 106, automated service program 112can query each of the one or more locations to determine if the servicecan be performed during the allotted period of time identified in step208. When the automated service program 112 determines there are two ormore service locations in the vicinity of vehicle 106 that can performthe service during the allotted period of time, automated serviceprogram 112 may select the service location closest to the previouslyidentified location of vehicle 106.

Automated service program 112 determines driving conditions between theidentified location for the vehicle and the service location (step 214).In this embodiment, driving conditions include traffic, weather, and anydetours between the originating location of the vehicle and the servicelocation. Automated service program 112 can query local weather,traffic, and road monitoring services to compile respective informationto determine the current driving conditions. Automated service program112 can assign weights to each driving condition to calculate a drivingconditions value. For example, optimal weather conditions (i.e., clearand sunny) can have a value of 10, whereas deplorable weather conditions(i.e., heavy snow and windy) can have a value of 1. In another example,traffic with a low average speed (i.e., less than 5 mph) can have avalue of 1, whereas traffic with a high average speed (i.e., more than65 mph) can have a value of 10. Automated service program 112 can sumthe various driving condition values to determine an overall drivingcondition value.

Automated service program 112 determines if suitable driving conditionsare met (decisions step 216). In the event that automated serviceprogram 112 determines the driving conditions are not met (“no” branch,step 216), automated service program 112 reverts back to step 208 todetermine another period of time in which to perform the service. If, onthe other hand, automated service program 112 determines the drivingconditions are met, automated service program 112 determines if manualapproval is required. In this embodiment, automated service program 112utilizes the overall driving condition value determined in step 214 todetermine if the overall driving condition value meets or exceeds apre-determined driving condition threshold value. For example, if thedriving condition threshold value is 15 and automated service program112 determines that the overall driving condition value is 12, automatedservice program 112 determines the driving conditions are not met.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting continued operational steps of anautomated service program for managing autonomous transportationservice, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Automated service program 112 determines if manual approval is required(decision step 302). In the event that automated service program 112determines manual approval is required (“yes” branch, step 302),automated service program 112 sends a request for service approval (step304). If automated service program 112 determines manual approval is notrequired (“no” branch, step 302), automated service program 112instructs the vehicle to drive to the service location (step 308). Inthis embodiment, manual approval represents whether or not automatedservice program 112 has to obtain approval each time a service is to beperformed on the vehicle. Automated service program 112 can includeprogrammable automatic or manual service approval preferences for eachuser of a particular vehicle.

Automated service program 112 sends a request for service approval (step304). In this embodiment, automated service program 112 previouslydetermined, in decision step 302, that manual approval was required, andsends the request for service approval to client device 104 associatedwith the user of vehicle 106. The request can prompt a notification withthe request for the service approval in user interface 120 via aninternet-based mobile application on client device 104. The user canview the notification on client device 104 and respond to the requestsent by automated service program 112.

Automated service program 112 determines if service was approved(decision step 306). In the event that automated service program 112determines the service was not approved (“no” branch, step 306),automated service program 112 reverts back to step 208 to identifyanother period of time to perform the service. If automated serviceprogram 112 determines the service was approved (“yes” branch, step306), automated service program 112 instructs the vehicle to drive tothe service location (step 308).

Automated service program 112 instructs the vehicle to drive to theservice location (step 308). In this embodiment, the user of clientdevice 104 approves the service via the web-based mobile application,and automated service program 112 receives the approval for the serviceof the vehicle. Automated service program 112 instructs the vehicle todrive to the service location previously determined in step 212. In thisembodiment, the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle capable of driving tothe service location without human intervention. In another embodiment,the vehicle is an unmanned vehicle (i.e., drone) operated remotely by auser, where the user remotely operating the unmanned vehicle receivesthe instructions to drive the vehicle to the service location. In yetanother embodiment, automated service program 112 instructs the vehicleto drive to the service location by sending navigational information andthe overall driving condition value to the vehicle, so that the user ofthe vehicle can navigate the vehicle to the service location. Aspreviously mentioned, automated service program 112 is not limited tovehicles and can include aircraft and watercraft. Therefore, automatedservice program 112 can instruct the aircraft or watercraft to proceedto the service location.

Automated service program 112 determines if the service was performed(step 310). In this embodiment, automated service program 112 candetermine if the service was performed in the allotted period of timefor the service previously determined in step 208. Automated serviceprogram 112 can query the vehicle for the location at the end of theallotted time period to determine if the vehicle is still located at theservice location. In the event that automated service program 112determines the service was not performed (“no” branch, step 310),automated service program 112 notifies the user the service was notperformed (step 312). In the alternative, if automated service program112 determines the service was performed (“yes” branch, step 310),automated service program 112 sends a payment for the service performed(step 314).

Automated service program 112 notifies the user the service was notperformed (step 312). In this embodiment, automated service program 112determines the allotted period of time has passed, and determines thevehicle is at the service location. Automated service program 112 cansend a notice to client device 104 associated with the user of vehicle106 that the service was not performed in the allotted time, along withthe service location for vehicle 106. The notification is displayed inuser interface 120 via an internet based mobile application on clientdevice 104, where the user can view the notification and determine thenext course of action.

Automated service program 112 sends a payment for the service performed(step 314). In this embodiment, automated service program 112 storespayment information for vehicle 106, where payment information includescredit card information of the user of vehicle 106. Once the service isperformed, automated service program 112 can utilizes the store creditcard information to send the payment to the service location for theservice performed. In another embodiment, automated service program 112can receive a request for payment from the service location, andautomated service program 112 can forward the request to client device104 associated with the user of vehicle 106. The user can manually inputcredit card information or internet-based payment system credentials viathe internet-based mobile application on client device 104, andautomated service program 112 can send the payment to the servicelocation.

Automated service program 112 instructs the vehicle to drive to theidentified location for the vehicle (step 316). In this embodiment,automated service program 112 instructs the vehicle to drive to thepreviously identified vehicle location in step 210. As previouslymentioned, vehicle 106 is an autonomous vehicle capable of driving toservice location 108 without human intervention. Therefore, vehicle 106is capable of driving back to the previously identified vehiclelocation. In another embodiment, the vehicle is an unmanned vehicle(i.e., drone) operated remotely by a user, where the user remotelyoperating the unmanned vehicle receives the instructions to drive thevehicle to the previously identified vehicle location. In yet anotherembodiment, automated service program 112 instructs the vehicle to driveto the previous identified vehicle location by sending navigationalinformation to the vehicle, so that the user of the vehicle can navigatethe vehicle to the previously identified vehicle location.

Automated service program 112 notifies the user the service wascompleted (step 318). In this embodiment, automated service program 112sends a notice to client device 104 associated with the user of vehicle106 that the service was performed in the allotted time period, alongwith a receipt for the payment and the list of one or more itemsperformed for the service of vehicle 106. The notification can alsoinclude the location where vehicle 106 is located in the event vehicle106 returned to a location different than the previously identifiedvehicle location (i.e., different parking spot). The notification isdisplayed in user interface 120 via an internet based mobile applicationon client device 104, where the user can view the notification.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of components of a computer, such asserver computer 102, hosting automated service program 112 in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It should beappreciated that FIG. 4 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation, and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Server computer 102 includes communications fabric 402, which providescommunications between computer processor(s) 404, memory 406, persistentstorage 408, communications unit 410, and input/output (I/O)interface(s) 412. Communications fabric 402 can be implemented with anyarchitecture designed for passing data and/or control informationbetween processors (such as microprocessors, communications and networkprocessors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any otherhardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric402 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 406 and persistent storage 408 are examples of computer readabletangible storage devices. A storage device is any piece of hardware thatis capable of storing information, such as, data, program code infunctional form, and/or other suitable information on a temporary basisand/or permanent basis. In this embodiment, memory 406 includes randomaccess memory (RAM) 414 and cache memory 416. In general, memory 406 caninclude any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storagedevice.

Automated service program 112 is stored in persistent storage 408 forexecution by one or more of computer processors 404 via one or morememories of memory 406. In this embodiment, persistent storage 408includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to amagnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 408 can include a solidstate hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory(ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, orany other computer-readable storage medium that is capable of storingprogram instructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 408 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 408.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage408.

Communications unit 410, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices, including systems anddevices within or controlled by server computer 102. In these examples,communications unit 410 includes one or more wireless network interfacecards. Communications unit 410 may provide communications through theuse of either or both physical and wireless communications links.Computer programs and processes, such as automated service program 112,may be downloaded to persistent storage 408 through communications unit410, or uploaded to another system through communications unit 410.

I/O interface(s) 412 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to server computer 102. For example, I/Ointerface 412 may provide a connection to external devices 418 such as akeyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable inputdevice. External devices 418 can also include portable computer readablestorage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical ormagnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practiceembodiments of the present invention can be stored on such portablecomputer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistentstorage 408 via I/O interface(s) 412. I/O interface(s) 412 may alsoconnect to a display 420. Display 420 provides a mechanism to displaydata to a user and may be, for example, a touch screen or a computermonitor.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for automated service management, themethod comprising: identifying, by one or more processors, a period oftime to perform a service on a transporter, wherein the transporter isone of: a vehicle, an aircraft, a watercraft, or a rail basedtransportation; identifying, by one or more processors, a first locationwithin a vicinity of the transporter to perform the service, wherein thevicinity is based at least in part on a known location of thetransporter; identifying, by one or more processors, one or more travelconditions between the first location and the known location of thetransporter, wherein the travel conditions include at least weatherconditions between the first location and the known location; assigning,by one or more processors, a weight to each of the one or moreidentified travel conditions; responsive to determining a sum of eachweight of the identified one or more travel conditions does not exceed athreshold, determining, by one or more processors, to instruct thetransporter to relocate to the first location; instructing, by one ormore processors, the transporter to relocate to the first location; andresponsive to determining the service of the transporter is complete,instructing, by one or more processors, the transporter to relocate tothe known location.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by one or more processors, operational information associatedwith the transporter; identifying, by one or more processors, thetransporter based at least in part on the received operationalinformation; and determining, by one or more processors, servicing ofthe transporter is required based at least in part on the receivedoperational information.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining, by one or more processors, if manual approval is requiredto instruct the transporter to relocate to the first location; andresponsive to determining manual approval is required, sending, by oneor more processors, a request for approval of the service on thetransporter to a user associated with the transporter.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising: sending, by one or more processors, anotification to the user associated with transporter that service wascompleted on the transporter; and sending, by one or more processors, apayment for the service completed on the transporter.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the transporter is one of: an autonomous transporter ora drone transporter.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying afirst location within a vicinity of the transporter comprises:determining, by one or more processors, there are two or more locationswithin the vicinity of the transporter; and determining, by one or moreprocessors, the first location out of the two or more locations canperform the service in the identified period of time.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the travel conditions further include a delay due totraffic between the first location and the known location and a numberof detours between the first location and the known location.